When Google unveiled the prototype for its Project Glass initiative last week, it became clearer than ever that technology is still being fashioned to accommodate needs that many don’t yet realize they have. And while it’s hard to envision folding one’s iPhone in half, the bitter experience of damaging expensive gadgetry is inspiring companies to design devices made of more pliable materials.

LG EPD E-Reader: For traditionalists, standard e-readers don’t compare to turning the pages of a paperback. LG, having taken note, is launching the world’s first plastic electronic paper display (EPD) for e-books. The flexible tablet can bend as much as 40 degrees from the center, is one-third the thickness and one-half the weight of an average glass display, and mimics the look and feel of traditional newspapers and books. Especially beneficial for readers with fumbling fingers, the durable six-inch device was put through break and scratch testing with a urethane hammer, withstanding repeated hits and a five foot drop. Of course, the abuse of a dog or toddler may be another story. 

For many, panic sets in as the “red icon of death” looms in the background of an important phone call or crucial GPS directions. And with 3 million new iPad owners, constant connectivity is a necessity. Since electrical outlets aren’t always readily available, new portable battery rechargers are relying upon natural resources like water, wind and fire to keep users powered up.

PowerTrekk: While water may seem like a cellphone’s mortal enemy, the PowerTrekk case actually harnesses it to revive lifeless devices. When filled with good old H2O, the proprietary PowerPukk fuel cell converts the hydrogen into electricity and recharges any gadget in the same time it would take to do so through a wall charger. The power generated from each ‘puck’ is the equivalent of four AA batteries, enough to fully charge a smartphone. PowerTrekk was designed with outdoor activity in mind, so it’s ideal for campers, hikers and bikers who might otherwise fret about losing access to their GPS, email, or, dare we suggest, Angry Birds.

Among the young and tech-savvy, Sixth Sense technology that layers pertinent information (directions, reviews, or a buddy’s geo-location) over real-time experience is a must-have. Now, some of that same technology is being employed for those deprived of the ability to see, as new gadgets and apps give the blind more complete experiences in undertakings otherwise made difficult or impossible due to their lack of sight.

Touchscreen Braille Writer: Touchscreen devices present an insurmountable obstacle for the visually impaired. Lacking buttons or other palpable reference points, screens can’t be navigated sight unseen (at least not without audio and voice commands). But engineering student Adam Duran recently devised a workaround: an app that orients a tablet’s virtual keyboard to a user’s fingertips, rather than requiring the user to locate it by touch. Unlike traditional screen reader programs, Duran’s app is a screen writer. It features a self-adjusting Braille keyboard of eight keys, with corresponding audio cues to confirm correct typing. If released, the program could ultimately supplant traditional Braille note takers, which cost upwards of $5,000.

Years ago, electronic data replaced The Dewey Decimal System, and now literature’s shift from the printed page to the tablet has called into question the need for traditional libraries. After momentarily fading out of fashion, libraries around the world are reinventing themselves as modern cultural centers that offer much more than just book borrowing.

Liyuan Library: Instead of erecting another structure in crowded Beijing, the designers of the recently opened Liyuan Library opted to build near a village two hours outside of the metropolis. With a concept for a serenity-focused public space in mind, they used the mountain landscape as inspiration. The resulting building is constructed from sticks gathered in the village and lets in only natural light, helping the modest structure blend into its surroundings while delivering a soft ambiance. This unusual architectural work provides a meditative environment not only for residents of the village but also for the stressed creative pros of Beijing who need to escape the city to get their juices flowing.

This holiday season, touchscreen tablets and smartphones were both essential gift shopping tools as well as coveted wish list items. No longer just a consumer product, touchscreen technology is emerging as a key device for retailers who seek to integrate a familiar sense of digital independence with a more interactive (read: immersive) in-store experience.

Barneys New York CO-OP Cafe: The CO-OP floor of Barneys New York on Madison Avenue recently re-launched with its first genes@co-op café. Traditional coffee shop vinyl booths and plastic menus have been abandoned in favor of a single glass-top banquet table containing 30 touchscreen computer tablets. Targeted at rushed shoppers, the communal table allows diners to scan the interactive menu and immediately place their orders directly from their seats. For Gen Ys who are naturally adept at multitasking, the tablets also provide them with the opportunity to read articles from the Barneys New York online publication—and, naturally, to shop the store’s inventory straight from their place settings.